In addition to my academic work I am an activist for increased historical literacy within the Mormon faith community. I attempt to reintroduce women in the church to their complicated past as a means of equipping them with genealogies of theology and practice that transcend monolithic paths of devotion. In workshops I highlight Mormon female support of and opposition to the ERA, suffrage, pacifism, statehood, polygamy and the cult of domesticity over the past 150 years. In meetings and leadership councils I attempt to encourage what feminist theorist Neylan McBaine advocates by “improving gender-cooperative practices on the local level so as to relieve unnecessary tensions caused by cultural or historically normal practices.” (McBaine, xvi) In so doing I hope to present a multi-vocal heritage that demonstrates that the pressures of conformity within Mormonism are in fact the exception and not the rule.

As an Army veteran and mother of four young children, I am also happy to answer any questions prospective gradute students may have on family life, housing, schooling or veteran's benefits here at Rice or in the Houston area.